Food and Drink

I’m mostly listing this because I think sending fruitcake on Christmas is funny, but also because these cakes got good reviews around the office. They’re packed with nuts and real dried fruits, as opposed to the weirdly colored fruity gels you find in most cakes. The consensus seemed to be, “If you like fruitcake, this is good fruitcake.”

So what does it say about us as a society that our disposable products are becoming more attractive than the dishes and napkins we’re supposed to use every day? One thing’s for sure, we enjoy a good luncheon.

This Earl Grey with a hint of sweet lavender is a nice update on a classic. Ideal between bites of shortbread, the tea comes in cute little boxes that make you feel like you’re opening a present for yourself every time you make a cup of tea.

You’re craving Twinkies, but you don’t remember them tasting quite so much like formaldehyde when you were a kid. This Twinkie kit lets you make homemade treats with buttery cake and real whipped cream. Because what the world really needs is a way to make Twinkies more delicious. (via Not Martha)

Yum! This is my new favorite host gift. It’s about the same as a cheap bottle of wine, but so much more unique and thoughtful. Plus, it’s lemony delicious – fantastic in mashed potatoes, pasta salads, or as a light dressing for veggies or white fish.

A pet project of the Anchor Steam Brewery on San Francisco’s Potrero Hill, Old Poetrero Rye is their attempt to recreate the original American whiskey. Rye is nearly impossible to find in bars or liquor stores, so if you know a whiskey lover, this is a can’t-miss gift. Old Potrero is made in a small copper pot still at the distillery, and aged for a year in Oak barrels. There’s never enough to go around, so get yours while it’s in season and available.

ON SALE All right already, people! I decided against posting this ice cream maker, but then I got a bazillion emails from people suggesting it. As I am a slave to popular opinion, here it is. You put the ingredients in, add ice, and then play with it like a ball. You can toss it, roll it, whatever. Makes a pint of ice cream in about twenty minutes.

My friend Heather cannot say enough about this teapot. The site has a very clear description of how it works: “When tea is ready, simply place it atop your cup. This will cause a valve at the bottom to release: crystal-clear tea flows down, while the mesh filter retains all the leaves.” Golf claps all around.

A reader wrote in to say: “This is an awesome lunchbox for kids, my standby birthday gift! Compartment setup really encourages people to avoid pre-packaged foods in favor of more eco-friendly (and healthy) options. Everyone on the playground has been asking me about ours.” The site calls them American-style bento boxes and says they’re dishwasher safe. Sounds good to me.

Neat! If you’re short on space, these useful silicone measuring cups smoosh into flat discs. You throw them in a drawer, and then pop them out into full sized cups when you’re ready to use them. They come in several colors and are dishwasher safe in your top rack.

So all the “need”s have already turned to “have”s on the happy couple’s registry? Surprise them with a steady supply of treats from one of San Francisco’s best chocolatiers. Possibilities include rich sauces, unbelievable truffles, s’more kits, and more.?Guest posted by Evany Thomas